Locals help evacuate dogs from flooded Los Barrios pound

Several Gibraltarians crossed the border yesterday in their 4x4 vehicles to help evacuate over 300 dogs from the pound in Los Barrios, which was heavily flooded.

From 9am yesterday morning people from both sides of the border came together to rescue the frightened dogs, many of which were found standing waist deep in flood waters after the nearby rive burst its banks.

No dogs died in the flood but food, water, medicines, beds, blankets, towels and other necessities were all destroyed.

Local charity Animals in Need Foundation Gibraltar, whose volunteers were helping out yesterday, set up a crowdfunding page seeking £1,000 in donations.

The response was overwhelming and within just a few hours, nearly £5,000 had been raised, with money still coming in.

Eugenie Cottrell, from Animals in Need Foundation Gibraltar, was at the shelter yesterday afternoon, carrying dogs to waiting 4x4 vehicles because the dogs were “too petrified” to walk through the water. When she heard how much was raised by 3pm she said she “felt like crying”.

Ms Cottrell appealed for more people to help because due to the extensive damage created by the floods, the animals will not be able to return to the shelter once the waters subside.

She said the best help would be to foster an animal, if not “donate, donate, donate.”

David Ledger, from Animals in Need Foundation Gibraltar, was also assisting in the evacuation and relocation of the dogs.

He was at work when he got a call at 12pm telling him of the unfolding events. He immediately took half a day off and made his way to the shelter.

His task was to move three pit bulls to a private shelter. He explained that the water was so deep on the roads leading to the shelter that only persons with four wheel drive vehicles could pass.

Animals in Need normally assist the dog shelter in El Zabal, but due to the situation in Los Barrios, Mr Ledger said that they have not hesitated in assisting in any way they can.

Videos courtesy of Eugenie Cottrell and the Animals in Need Foundation